Re: [Nancy Boyd] Need quickie response

I use ING, so does the Bubba family. I haven't had to test it, but from others' experiences, they really come through. The agent I use, same as the one Bubba uses, has gone out of his way to help me on various occasions, including helping me find the correct medical specialist for a problem it turned out I didn't have. That doctor is considered the best in his field in Guadalajara."He upon whose heart the dust of Mexico has lain will find no peace in any other land." Malcolm Lowry

Bubba, very sad news

I became worried when I had not seen any posts by Bubba, lately. None of us are young so I was worried about his health. Well I did phone and I have some very sad news. I am sorry to have to report the premature death of Bubba's computer.

He hopes to be up and running again soon, but what he doesn't know is, that his detractors have bribed the computer repair man to delay the repair as long as possible

Re: [Nancy Boyd] Need quickie response

My computer was out of commission. If itīs not too late, switch to ING. My ING agent will be in Ajijic tomorrow renewing two major medical policies, our homeowners and our Mexican auto policy. The only thing we donīt have with them is our U.S. auto policy because they told us they would not be competitive writing Ļ"tourist" auto coverage.

My agent is Jesus Tejeda out of Guadalajara. He speaks very good English and is always highly responsive to our needs. In fact, he is also a good source of information when I need a reference for a doctor. Just today he gave me the name of a good opthamologist in Guadalajara for my complex eye problems.

I should point out that, after we had nothing but problems helping our uninsured gardener take care of what we thought was a stroke a week or so ago, we have concluded that we need a primary physician in Guadalajara instead of at lakeside so that we will have a GP who can refer us to the best, specialists, clinics and hospitals in that city in an emergency. Driving around that city looking for help without a physician connection was an eye-opener. This also was a wake-up call regarding any move to a more remote area of Mexico where top-notch health care may not be as available as in Guadalajara. Lifeīs too short already. Why tempt fate.

Re: [Nancy Boyd] Need quickie response

About the uninsured gardener who became ill on your property, would you explain what you would do if you had it to do all over again--that is, who would you call, where would you go, etc.?

Also, will your homeowner's policy, the liability section, reimburse the costs (subject to the deductible)?

And, do you have any further ideas about health insurance coverage for people working on your property? Even if our housekeeper has IMSS, that still leaves gardeners (who keep changing) and other workers on the property who are probably uninsured.

I will be talking to our property manager and insurance broker about this, but would like your opinion.

Whew, asking Bubba to amplify and give his opinion--this is just asking for it, but here goes! "Don't believe everything you think" - Maxine

Re: [jaybear] Need quickie response

I guess we would still take him to the Ajijic Clinic, which is quite close to us, for an initial evaluation for something as serious as an apparent stroke. For something less urgent, we would go to the local clinic in Six Corners which is a few blocks from our home. In fact, we took him to the Six Corners clinic when he accidentally cut himself a couple of years ago and were pleased with their responsiveness and treatment. Then if we lacked the IMSS option, we would drive him to the civil hospital in Guadalajara, We still donīt know where that is so plan to drive by there and familiarize ourselves with the route for possible future reference. Since we didnīt know the location of the civil hospital and several emergency rooms turned us down, we ended up at del Carmen which is mighty fancy and comparatively expensive. They discovered that this was a viral infection and not a stroke even though both the Ajijic Clinic and IMSS in Chapala thought it was a stroke after rudimentary examinations. All of this cost us about b$400USD.

We are informed that any injuries suffered by household help or workmen on our property will be covered by the liability feature in our homeownerīs policy. A stroke or other disabling condition that came about on the job would, of course, not be covered under the liability policy.

Re: [Bubba] Need quickie response

Bubba, thanks, this is very useful information on all counts. We would probably head for the Maskaras Clinic, as it is near us. I guess calling an ambulance is also an option, BUT there is a lot to be said for just hopping in the car, at least to get as far as the clinic.

Guess we better count on having some emergency cash for situations like this. I assume not even Del Carmen takes credit cards, but now that I think about it, maybe they do. "Don't believe everything you think" - Maxine

Re: [jaybear] Need quickie response

DEL CARMEN DOES TAKE CREDIT CARDS. SO DO SOME DOCTORS. I JUST DID IT FOR MY SURGERY ON MONDAY, THEN MY US SUPPLEMENTAL PAYS ME. BUT I WILL WARN YOU. IF YOU DO NOT KNOW YOUR WAY AROUND GUAD, IT IS HARD TO FIND. FIND IT BEFORE AN EMERGENCY.

Re: [Howard Botz] Need quickie response

If you are coming from Chapala, take the Chapala-Guadalajara carretera to Lazaro Cardenas and follow Lazaro Cardenas across town all the way to the end where it splits and you have the option to head west toward Puerto Vallarta or head east up Av. Mexico. Stay to your right and go through the tunnel and you will find yourself at the Plaza Mexico Shopping Center on your left. You canīt miss this major shopping center. Just after you pass the Plaza Mexico Shopping Center, turn left at the traffic light to Tarascos (about three blocks) and turn left again. You will see del Carmen on your left in about two blocks. You would be wise to park in the adjacent fee lot. Bubba lost his rear view mirrors in this very nice neighborhood in a New York second. Cost $700US to replace.

San Javier Hospital is also near here as are many doctorīs offices and clinics.

Re: [dleach] Need quickie response

The ING major medical policy is for Mexico with emergency coverage when out of Mexico - no matter where in the world - of $50,000USD. Yes that is $50,000USD, not pesos or any other currency. The $50,000 is intended to cover you in an emergency and give you an opportunity to get back to Mexico for primary treatment.

We just paid our annual major medical premium today. I am 64 and paid $13,2740Pesos (IVA included at $1,731Pesos) and my wife, who is 59, paid $10,867Pesos (IVA $1,417Pesos) for a gross annual premium including IVA of $24,141Pesos (or about $2,200USD per annum/$183USD a month) with a $25,000Peso deductible. That is for theĻ"Cliente Especial" coverage which includes a private suite for hospital stays in Guadalajaraīs top hospitals - my choice.

I figure similar coverage in the U.S. would cost me at least six times that much in premiums - probably more - and the hospitals in Guadalajara are a hell of a lot nicer than any hospitals I have seen in the U.S.

If you are interested, my ING agent is Jesus Tejeda Mejorada whose office is in Guadalajara but who comes down to Ajijic at my convenience for policy renewals. His cell phone # from Ajijic is 01 333 667 0499.

Re: [Bubba] Need quickie response

I am trying to get more information about the ING health insurance. I will be living closer to Queretaro so I don't think the contact you listed will work for me. I pulled it up on the web but the only one I could find was located in Greece. Is this the company you are talking about? If not, do you have a website for them so I can get more information.

Re: [CRZ] Need quickie response

Our problem will be when we get there is that my wife and son are covered under Tricare Standard, and I am 100% VA and we will have to pay as we go for all services and then wait to get paid back for the coverage.

Re: [prorader] Need quickie response

I think you will find that most of the non-Mexican health insurance companies require you, in most cases, to meet a deductible first, and then to file claims for expenses in excess of the deductible. This is the old "major medical" model. Bear in mind that medical costs are a lot lower in Mexico than in the US, but you DO have to have either cash or a credit card with plenty of room on it, so as to front the costs.

There are no HMO-type insurance plans operating here, to my knowledge. That is, no plans that pay your expenses without the need for you to pay first and then file a claim.

HOWEVER, Maskaras Clinic (between Chapala and Ajijic) offers a plan that covers all your doctor visits for a set fee per year; if you see the doctor a lot, this arrangement can offer savings on routine visits.

Mexican health insurance is another matter, about which I know almost nothing.

There is also IMSS, the Mexican national health system, which covers office visits and hospital stays and surgery in their clinics and hospitals after you have been enrolled for two years (emergency services are covered immediately, I believe).

It takes a lot of time and effort to plow thru the intracacies of acquiring health insurance here! Especially for anyone over age 65 or with ANY pre-existing conditions! "Don't believe everything you think" - Maxine